Smackdown Results – 6/12/09

Before I start the recap I?d just like to mention that tonight marks a year since I started writing the Smackdown recap for WrestleView.com. It’s been a great year recapping for all of you. I?d just like to thank Adam Martin, Paul Nemer, and the rest of the WrestleView.com staff for welcoming me to the team and making it a great experience. I?d also like to send a thank you to my wonderful girlfriend Marianna, for putting up with more than a few disappointing Fridays while allowing me to write about something I love. You?re a trooper. Most of all I?d like to thank you, the reader, for supporting the recap. Thanks for the support and the e-mails letting me know how I?m doing. It’s all much appreciated. Now, on to the recap?

?Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event?? The WWE video leads us into the show.

We start the show off with a video highlighting the tremendous World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match from Extreme Rules. Both men really put it all on the line as there were some really sick bumps. The ending was very favorable with Jeff Hardy winning the title until Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk cashed in his guaranteed contract. Hardy put up a fight by kicking out of one GTS but a second one was too much and CM Punk pinned him to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Justin Roberts is in the ring and introduces the new World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. The crowd seems pretty happy seeing him as champion as Punk parades around the ring holding up his championship. Punk grabs a microphone and says he?ll cut right to the chase. He came out here to clear up a few things. Ever since he cashed in his Money in the Bank at Extreme Rules he’s heard some grumblings that say he stole the World Heavyweight Championship from Jeff Hardy but he doesn?t see it that way. Last year when he cashed in on Edge he didn?t see it that way and neither did we. Punk can?t take back what he did, nor does he want to, because he is proud to stand in this ring our World Heavyweight Champion for the second time.

Punk says he earned the right to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase when he put his body on the line at WrestleMania. Punk says last Sunday at Extreme Rules there was an opportunity to become World Heavyweight Champion staring him right in the face and he capitalized on it. That doesn?t make him a bad guy; that’s just the entire purpose of the contract that’s in the briefcase in the first place. Obviously it wasn?t the most popular decision in the world but he’s never done anything in his life just to be popular. He’s always done what’s best for him. Punk says the championship is something he’s worked so very hard to attain. The title is the entire reason he’s a WWE Superstar to begin with. The title means the world to him and he promises to bring respect, honor, and integrity back to it.

CM Punk is now interrupted by Jeff Hardy, who comes out walking a little gingerly. What an amazing performance he gave on Sunday. Even though he’s banged up he’s not showing it ? no finger splint or anything. Hardy grabs a mic and takes in the cheers from the crowd before saying he didn?t come out to complain about what Punk did because that’s not his style. He just doesn?t agree that CM Punk earned it, and then asks the crowd if they think he earned it and they say no. Hardy says he won Money in the Bank and earned the right to cash it in whenever he wanted to but he cashed in on the wrong guy.

Punk says Jeff’s angry and he understands that and understands his point of view but asks that he tries to see where he’s coming from. Punk says he didn?t put Hardy in a Ladder Match at Extreme Rules. He did. Hardy chose a Ladder Match for him and Edge at Extreme Rules, and the night he did that a light bulb went off in his head, and he said, ?That’s my night.? Regardless of whoever won he made up his mind that he was cashing in that night and it just so happened that Hardy won. Hardy says he doesn?t care about his reasons but he’s sensing selfishness. Hardy asks if he cares about his fans and takes in some ?Hardy? cheers and boos for Punk. Hardy says he doesn?t walk the same path as Punk, and he never will, but he wants his rematch, and he wants it TONIGHT!

Edge’s music hits and he comes out looking wild. Edge says Hardy isn?t getting his rematch tonight. If anyone is, it’s him. Hardy asks if he’s lost it ? he beat him and won the Ladder Match. Hardy now asks why he’s even out here. This isn?t about Edge ? it’s about him and Punk. Punk says for once they?re in agreement and tells Edge to ?beat it.? Edge says no and says Hardy got lucky at Extreme Rules, and both of them combined have not held that title as much as him. Facts! Hardy had the shortest World Heavyweight Championship reign in the history of the company but at least he’s his own man. But Edge has been trying to figure out what makes Punk tick ever since he got here, who he looks up to, and he figured it out ? Punk wants to be Edge! Edge tells him to laugh all he wants but its true. Edge mentions that Punk calls his unique lifestyle ‘straight-EDGE? ? HELLO! Punk named it after him. Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank successfully TWICE, just like him. But here’s a news flash ? he never has been, and never will be, him.

Edge gives another news flash ? if Hardy wants another title shot, he’s got to get behind him, because if anyone’s getting a title match tonight it’s going to be him. Hardy says that’s not going to happen because they?re both full of ? and Hardy attacks Edge before he finishes that statement and knocks him out of the ring. Hardy then turns on Punk and drops him with a Twist of Fate! Hardy then quickly gets to the top rope and hits a Swanton Bomb on the World Heavyweight Champion! Hardy seems to have hurt himself a little bit with the Swanton but still gets on the turnbuckle to pose for the crowd.

Teddy Long’s music hits and Smackdown’s General Manager makes his first appearance on the show in a few weeks. Teddy Long wants to see if he can sort this out. CM Punk is the champion so his first defense will be at the WWE 3-For-All, and he will go on to face the winner of tonight’s #1 Contender’s Match between Edge and Jeff Hardy! Long’s music hits and the segment ends.

-Commercial Break-

Teddy Long walks into his office and finds Chris Jericho sitting there so he asks what he can do for him. Jericho says he wants to know why Long is denying him his chance at the World Heavyweight Championship tonight. Long says he’s not denying him of anything. Jericho thinks he is and thinks it’s another act of disrespect towards Chris Jericho from him and the WWE Administration. Jericho asks if he’s forgotten who he is. He’s a five time World Heavyweight Championship, he unmasked Rey Mysterio for the first time ever, and on top of that he became the Intercontinental Champion for the unprecedented ninth time. By virtue of that alone he should be the Number One Contender but he isn?t. Jericho told him when he came here that he was going to be the face of Smackdown just like he was on Raw so tonight Long has to make things right for him. Long has no excuses, he’s dressed to compete, so he needs to make things right.

Long says he’s having a hard time coming up with an argument against Jericho. He’s already announced that Edge and Jeff Hardy are going to compete to face the champion so let’s see if Jericho is worthy of contention. Long tells Jericho to get his mind right because tonight he’s going to go one on one with CM Punk. Jericho is happy and he leaves.

Dolph Ziggler vs. The Great Khali

The referee calls for the bell and Ziggler quickly gets out of the ring before Khali can get him. Ziggler gets back in the ring, runs around Khali, and begins hitting him with some punches but they have no effect on Khali as he simply pushes Ziggler into the ropes and clotheslines him down. Ziggler quickly leaves the ring to regroup again. Ziggler slaps Khali before getting back in the ring so Khali brings him in the hard way. Khali clotheslines him down, picks him up, and slaps him back down. Khali picks him up and whips him into the corner. Khali grabs him with one hand for a Chokeslam but Ziggler finds his way to the apron and snaps Khali’s arm off the top rope.

Ziggler quickly gets back in the ring and dropkicks Khali in the knee. Ziggler kicks his knee a few times and hits a chop block, sending Khali down to a knee. Ziggler punches him a bunch of times before locking Khali in a front face lock. Khali eventually powers him up and flapjacks Ziggler. Khali sends Ziggler into the ropes and hits him with a big boot. Khali signals to the crowd and goes for his Brain Chop but Ziggler avoids it and gets out of the ring.

Ziggler quickly gets over to Ranjin Singh and grabs him. Khali gets out of the ring and approaches Ziggler but Ziggler has Singh in front of him like a shield. Both men are being counted out so at the nine-count Ziggler throws Singh into Khali and gets back in the ring. Khali attempts to get back in the ring but he’s too slow and gets counted out.

Winner by Count-Out: Dolph ZigglerMatch Rating: ? *

Our Main Event tonight will be Jeff Hardy vs. Edge with the winner facing CM Punk for the Championship at the WWE 3-For-All on Monday.

-Commercial Break-

For the second week in a row we?ll see the World Heavyweight Champion take on the Intercontinental Champion as it?ll be CM Punk taking on Chris Jericho.

Michelle McCool & Layla vs. Melina & Eve Torres

We see a replay of the end of the Six Diva Tag Match from last week with Layla getting the pin on Melina after interference from Michelle McCool.

It?ll be Eve starting out against Layla. They lock up and Layla quickly knees her in the midsection and slams her down by her hair. Layla kicks and forearms her before sending her to the corner. Layla charges into Eve’s back elbow. Eve gets to the second rope and jumps over a charging Layla and drops her with a dropkick for a one count. Eve hits her a few times but has a whip to the corner reversed on her. Eve attempts to slingshot over Layla but Layla catches her and drops her on her face. Layla brings Eve to her corner and tags in McCool.

McCool comes in and knees her in the kidneys a few times before hitting a side Russian Leg Sweep. McCool now locks on a chin lock. McCool holds it on tight until Eve fights up a bit and counters out with a jawbreaker. McCool charges into a drop toe hold which was taken horribly. Eve now makes the tag to Melina. Melina blocks a punch and kicks McCool before entering the ring. Melina clotheslines her down twice before hitting a head-scissors into a side kick for a one count. That would have been a nice move if she didn?t trip at the end. Melina punches her back and McCool answers with a back elbow. McCool goes for a big boot but Melina avoids it with her Matrix block. Melina goes for a kick but McCool catches it and flips Melina over but she lands on her feet. Melina now drops her with a hair swing face plant but only gets a one count when Layla interferes. Eve runs in and dropkicks Layla out of the ring.

McCool hits a European Uppercut and whips Melina into the corner. McCool charges into Melina’s knee. Melina goes for her Last Call but is distracted for a moment by Alicia Fox, who was at ringside, and McCool uses the distraction to counter into her sick Faith Breaker to pick up the win!

Winners by Pinfall: Michelle McCool & LaylaMatch Rating: * ?

Coming up next we?ll see John Morrison and R-Truth take on Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas.

-Commercial Break-

Did you know more women watched Smackdown last Friday than any show on Oxygen, CW, or Lifetime?

Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas vs. John Morrison & R-Truth

R-Truth comes out through the entrance again this week and gets in the ring. R-Truth says the World’s Greatest Tag Team is back together again. That’s like Vanilla Ice and MC-Hammer teaming up to do a rap song ? no one wants to hear that, and no one wants to see them. That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

The bell rings and it?ll be Benjamin starting out against Morrison. They circle the ring and Benjamin pushes R-Truth on the apron. R-Truth goes to get in and the referee distraction is all it takes for Haas to run in from behind and blindside Morrison down. Benjamin quickly gets on with punches and kicks. Benjamin punches Morrison to the corner and pulls him out for another punch but Morrison blocks it and hits one of his own. Morrison goes for another punch but Benjamin ducks it and goes for a German Suplex but Morrison back flips and lands on his feet. Morrison then hits a beautiful head-scissors into a Russian Leg Sweep. That was great. Morrison then hits a break dance leg drop for a two count. Morrison then brings Benjamin to his corner and tags in R-Truth.

R-Truth comes in and kicks Benjamin the ribs. R-Truth hits a punch and almost has a whip reversed on him but R-Truth hits a kick to the midsection. R-Truth goes for his Scissors Kick but Benjamin moves out of the way and hits a knee to the midsection. Benjamin whips R-Truth into the corner and follows behind but R-Truth slingshots over him but Benjamin is able to hit him with a back elbow. Benjamin turns R-Truth in the corner and punches him before backing up and attempting his splash but R-Truth gets his feet in his midsection. R-Truth flips up to the top rope and kicks Charlie Haas off the apron when he tries to interfere. R-Truth then looks and Benjamin jumps to the top rope and suplexes R-Truth off. That’s always an impressive move. R-Truth rolls outside the ring and we?ll continue this after the break.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see R-Truth locked in a grounded chin lock but he’s able to quickly fight up and elbow out. R-Truth connects with a few punches before whipping Benjamin into the ropes. Benjamin ducks a back elbow and drops him with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Benjamin drags R-Truth to his corner and beats him down a bit before tagging in Charlie Haas. Haas gets down on one knee and Benjamin body slams R-Truth on that knee! That’s a great tag move that gets a near fall. Haas covers again for the same result.

Haas knees R-Truth in the lower back and whips him hard into the corner, sending him down. Haas drags him to the middle of the ring for a near fall. Haas now locks on an inverted camel clutch. The crowd gets in to it and R-Truth fights out. R-Truth sends Haas into the ropes but lowers his head and eats a kick. Haas kicks him in the face and then drops him with a belly to belly overhead suplex for a near fall. Haas now locks on a chin lock and quickly turns it into a front face lock. The crowd gets R-Truth in to it and R-Truth attempts to fight out but Haas slams him down. Haas grabs his leg to prevent the tag but R-Truth is able to kick him off. Haas tries to cut him off again but R-Truth splits under a clothesline attempt and attempts to leap towards Morrison but Haas catches him on his shoulder. R-Truth slides down for a roll up but releases the pin and finally makes the tag to Morrison.

Morrison springboards into the ring off the top rope and hits him with a dropkick. Morrison clotheslines him before sending him into the ropes and hitting a picture perfect back heel kick. Morrison taunts to the crowd before ducking a Benjamin clothesline and hitting a dropsault on him, sending him flying off the apron. Haas charges Morrison in the corner but Morrison moves and hits the Flying Chuck (springboard roundhouse kick) for a near fall that’s broken up by Benjamin. R-Truth now runs in and hits a beautiful 360? head-scissors takeover that sends Benjamin out of the ring. Charlie Haas clubs R-Truth from behind and knocks him out of the ring.

Haas blocks a kick from John Morrison and holds his leg while punching it. Morrison counters out with a really nice pel? kick and drops him with the Moonlight Drive! Morrison now hits him with Starship Pain for the win!

Winners by Pinfall: John MorrisonMatch Rating: ** ?

John Morrison and R-Truth celebrate a tough win and embrace in the ring.

Our Main Event tonight will be a match to determine the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship as Jeff Hardy will take on Edge. However, coming up next, we?ll see Champion vs. Champion in an exhibition match as Chris Jericho will take on CM Punk.

-Commercial Break-

Todd Grisham thanks us all for watching Extreme Rules on PPV and WWE.com.

Chris Jericho’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring with Rey Mysterio’s mask in hand. We see a quick replay of the end of his match at Extreme Rules where he unmasked Rey Mysterio in the middle of a 619. That was a great match. Jericho grabs a microphone in the ring and says he is a man who stands up for what he believes in. Jericho believes he is an honest man while 99% of us are liars and cheaters. Jericho also believes he is a true success while 99.9% of us have failed in everything we?ve tried to do. Jericho also believes that by unmasking Rey Mysterio he actually did him a favor by exposing his true identity and relieving the weight of deceit off his shoulders. Now Mysterio doesn?t have to live his life in the shadows and he can now walk the streets freely without ultra paranoia that someone may recognize him. In essence Jericho has set Rey Mysterio free.

Instead of thanking Jericho like a man for what he’s done for him, Mysterio has disappeared like a coward. He’s ashamed, embarrassed, and humiliated right now but in time he?ll realize he’s been redeemed and led to his salvation by his savior Chris Jericho. He’s exposed Rey Mysterio as a fraud and he?ll let the world know the same thing about CM Punk tonight. Jericho is better than CM Punk because he is the best in the world at what he does. Jericho guarantees a win against CM Punk tonight and there’s nothing we can do about it.

CM Punk’s music hits and he makes his way out to the ring for this Champion vs. Champion non-title match.

Champion vs. ChampionChris Jericho vs. CM Punk

My favorite referee returns to Smackdown this week as Charles Robinson is officiating this one. The circle the ring and Punk fakes a kick before they lock up. Punk takes early control with a headlock and executes a headlock takeover. Jericho fights up and twists the headlock into an overhead wrist lock and bends Punk over backwards. Jericho wants a submission but doesn?t get one. Punk fights up and gets the headlock back on before executing that headlock takeover again. Punk forces Jericho’s shoulders to the mat but only gets a one count.

Jericho fights up and elbows Punk a few times before going for a back suplex but Punk flips out and lands on his feet. Punk kicks Jericho a few times before sending him into the ropes and hitting him with a back elbow. Punk forces him down for a one count and quickly locks on a front face lock. Jericho fights up and Punk attempts a suplex. Jericho gets out of it and goes for the Walls of Jericho but Punk kicks him away. Jericho charges into GTS position but quickly wriggles out and gets out of the ring as we go to break.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Punk punching Jericho. Punk goes for a whip but it’s reversed on him. Jericho charges but Punk counters with his can opener submission on the ropes but he has to break before he’s disqualified. Punk goes to the top rope and hits Jericho with a cross-body block for a two count. Punk knees Jericho in the midsection a few times before whipping him into the ropes. Punk lowers his head so Jericho attempts a suplex and suplexes Punk gut first on the top rope. Jericho now springboards off the second rope with a nice dropkick, sending Punk to the floor.

Jericho is letting Punk get counted out and Punk has to struggle in at the count of four. Jericho kicks him in the face before hitting a snapmare and locking on a half nelson chin lock. Punk fights up but Jericho powers him down and wants the submission. Punk fights up and rolls Jericho off him. Punk charges Jericho near the corner but Jericho gives him a drop toe hold into the second turnbuckle. Jericho now charges Punk and Punk moves so Jericho hits the ring post shoulder first. Punk hits Jericho with a trio of kicks and sends him into the ropes for a back heel kick. Punk sends Jericho into the corner and hits a running high knee followed by a bulldog. Punk shoots the half and gets a near fall.

Punk twists Jericho’s arm and whips him into the corner. Punk charges but Jericho back drops him over the top rope but Punk lands on the apron. Punk forearms Jericho back and springboards off the top rope for a clothesline but Jericho ducks it and Punk crashes in a heap on the mat. Jericho now hits the Lionsault for a very close near fall! Jericho can?t believe it as he gets up and kicks and slaps Punk in the head. Jericho punches him back but has a whip into the corner reversed on him. Punk charges and eats a back elbow. Jericho now charges him and Punk hits a powerslam for a near fall. Punk kicks Jericho a few times until he finally blocks one and drops him with a step up enzuigiri for another near fall.

Jericho steps back and sizes Punk up as he waits for him to get up. Jericho goes for a face buster but Punk throws him onto the top rope. Punk gets Jericho on his shoulders for the GTS and goes for it but Jericho BLOCKS the GTS and locks Punk in the Walls of Jericho! Punk screams in agony and takes a while to fight to the ropes but eventually gets there. Jericho charges Punk but Punk back drops him to the apron. Jericho forearms him in the face and quickly runs to the top rope but Punk kicks him in the temple. Jericho is knocked out on the top rope so Punk climbs up and hits a superplex. Punk slowly gets to Jericho and covers for a near fall.

Punk gets Jericho up and punches him a few times before going for his spinning back punch but Jericho blocks it and drops Punk with the Codebreaker! Jericho covers but gets a near fall as Punk gets his foot on the bottom rope. JR says Punk cashed in on his ring positioning. Jericho kicks Punk’s leg and kicks him in the ribs a few times. Jericho charges and Punk kicks him square in the temple. Jericho bounces off the ropes and right into the GTS to give Punk the big win!

Winner by Pinfall: CM PunkMatch Rating: ** ?

CM Punk holds up his World Heavyweight Championship and is finally getting some cheers from the crowd unlike earlier tonight. This was a really good match.

-Commercial Break-

The Raw Rebound is brought to us by WWE Mobile. I thought Raw was really good this week, particularly the attack on Batista, which I thought was really well done. It was actually uncomfortable watching the arm breaking. It felt real, except for those lame, scripted comments from Batista, saying ?I?m going to get you!? That was unnecessary. Other than that it was good and the Triple H return was good as well.

On Raw there will be a Fatal Four Way Match with John Cena vs. Big Show vs. Triple H vs. Randy Orton for the vacant WWE Championship.

Jeff Hardy’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring, just five days after his hellacious Ladder Match at Extreme Rules. He’s moving around very gingerly. He?ll compete against Edge next.

-Commercial Break-

The WWE Smack of the Night is Jeff Hardy winning the World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules only for it to be taken away by CM Punk, who cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.

Before the match begins CM Punk joins JR and Todd Grisham at the announcer’s table.

#1 Contenders Match for the WHCJeff Hardy vs. Edge

Mike Chioda calls for the bell and the contest begins. This is beginning with about twenty-five minutes left in the show. This should be good. They lock up and push each other away and both men hobble on one leg back to their corners. They go to lock up but Edge goes for a single leg but Hardy is able to club him off. Hardy bounces Edge’s head off the top turnbuckle and kicks him a few times. Hardy brings him to the other corner and bounces his head off the turnbuckle again before whipping him hard into the opposite corner. Hardy stomps Edge a few times before picking him up and hitting a body slam. Hardy drops a knee on his back and a forearm for a one count.

Hardy goes for a suplex but Edge knees him in the midsection before elbowing him in the back of the neck. Edge kicks him in the ribs and takes some time before hitting some more forearms. They?re taking this very slow so far, selling the injuries. I like it! Edge chokes Hardy on the top rope and releases it before he’s disqualified. Edge stomps Hardy a few more times before whipping him into the corner. Edge charges for a corner Spear but Hardy moves and Edge hits the ring post shoulder first. Edge falls to the outside of the ring and this match will continue after the break.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Hardy covering Edge for a one count. Hardy wrenches the arm, takes Edge down, and locks on a cross-arm breaker. During the break Hardy snapped Edge’s arm off the top rope and then put him into a hammerlock and threw him into the barricade. Hardy holds the submission on for a while before breaking the hold and dropping a knee on his arm. Hardy gets Edge in the corner, wraps his arm around the top rope, and pulls for a few seconds and releases before he gets disqualified.

Hardy has a whip into the ropes reversed on him and Edge drops him with a big boot. Edge takes a lot of time to get up before picking Hardy up and bouncing his head off the turnbuckle. Edge now drops some knees on Hardy’s back and taunts the crowd. Edge goes to pick Hardy up but Hardy holds on to the ropes so Edge chokes him on the middle rope. Edge now goes into the ropes and goes for a cross-body with Hardy on the ropes but Hardy moves and Edge hits the ropes hard.

Both men are down but are able to make it up at the count of four. Hardy kicks Edge in the midsection and goes for his sit-out front suplex but his body is in too much pain and Edge capitalizes with a chop block to the injured knee. Edge drops an elbow on the knee. Edge then drops a knee on it and locks on a leg lock. Edge punches the knee a few times. Hardy is able to punch out of this one. Edge has a whip reversed on him and Hardy pulls him into a flying neckbreaker. Hardy now takes Edge down with a flying forearm but can?t get back to him quick enough. Edge kicks him in the knee but has a turnbuckle shot blocked. Hardy elbows him in the face and goes for Whisper in the Wind but he’s too slow climbing up the ropes and Edge is able to sweep his legs. Hardy is now hung in the Tree of Woe. Hardy falls out of it and we?ll finish this match after the final commercial break.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Edge stomping on Hardy’s injured knee. Edge tries to pull him towards the corner but Hardy holds the ropes. Edge eventually gets him and drags him to the ring post. Edge goes to the outside and slams Hardy’s injured knee off the ring post. Edge throws Hardy back in at the five count and covers for a near fall. Edge drops an elbow on Hardy’s knee and locks on a leg lock. Hardy attempts to counter with a chin lock but Edge elbows him off. Edge gets up and attempts to hyper-extend the knee now but pulling on it. Hardy finally catches a break as Edge goes for a Figure Four but Hardy kicks him out of the ring.

Edge quickly goes to the top rope and comes off into a boot in the midsection. Hardy hits a nice DDT for a near fall. Both men now charge one another and we get a double clothesline. Both men are able to answer at a count of five and Hardy drops Edge with a Russian Leg Sweep before connecting with his compactor pin for a near fall. Hardy hits a body slam and rips his shirt off. Hardy gets to the second rope and hits a Hardy Leg Drop for a very close near fall.

Hardy hits an inverted atomic drop and goes for a double leg drop to the midsection but Edge blocks it and locks Hardy in the Sharpshooter! Punk on commentary just dropped a comment about Umaga, saying what a grueling match it was. Hardy fights to the ropes and gets a rope break. Hardy gets to the apron and shoulders Edge in the midsection. Hardy executes a sunset flip for a near fall. Hardy now goes for the Twist of Fate but Edge pushes him off into the corner. Edge goes for a Spear in the corner but Hardy moves and Edge hits the ring post again. Hardy rolls Edge up for a very close near fall.

Hardy finally hits Edge with the Twist of Fate and is making his way to the top rope! Hardy slowly gets there but Edge is able to roll out of the ring. Hardy goes to the apron and jumps off with a cross-body on Edge on the outside! Both men get up and Edge throws Hardy across the announcer’s table into CM Punk’s lap! Edge gets in the ring and Punk follows him, beating him down, causing a disqualification!

Winner by Disqualification: EdgeMatch Rating: ** ?

Hardy can?t believe that he lost this match so he quickly gets in the ring and attacks CM Punk. Edge now starts attacking Hardy. Edge goes for the Edgecution but Hardy blocks it and hits the Twist of Fate. Hardy now walks right into CM Punk’s GTS and Punk stands tall as the crowd boos him! JR mentions this may not be a popular decision by Punk but it’s the only decision since he was attacked.

Backstage, Teddy Long is watching the ending with ECW General Manager Tiffany. Tiffany says that was exciting and Long says if she thinks that’s exciting, at Raw’s 3-For-All, and Tiffany cuts him off saying Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian for the ECW Title. Long says he?ll do one better ? Edge vs. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. Tiffany say that does sound exciting and we end the show with CM Punk standing tall with his championship.

This was another tremendous Smackdown and a great way to mark a year with the website. The fallout from Extreme Rules made for some really entertaining television tonight.

We opened the show with a great in ring segment. CM Punk was out first and he cut a really good promo defending himself. I really liked it. They definitely seem to be teasing a heel turn somewhere down the line. Punk says that it may not be a popular decision but it is what it is. I also like how he mentioned everyone thought it was great when he did it last year. I can definitely see him turning on the fans because they?ve seemingly turned on him. Then the segment heated up some more when Jeff Hardy and Edge came out. Both have a legitimate claim to the championship as neither got their championship rematch yet. It definitely made for some interesting television and I really enjoyed that opening segment, especially with the beat down at the end.

We closed the show with a really gutsy performance from both Edge and Jeff Hardy. Both are legitimately banged up yet they wrestled a match that went on for twenty-three minutes. Was it the greatest match in the world? No, but what would you expect? They?ve just been through hell and I really respected the performance. My only thing is I wouldn?t have made it go two segments and instead maybe put Jericho vs. Punk at two. Still, a great, gutsy performance from both men, and they both really earned their title shot on Monday.

Our semi-Main Event was great as well. CM Punk and Chris Jericho had a tremendous outing. It wasn?t as good as last week’s Champion vs. Champion match but I wasn?t expecting it to be. They had to establish Punk as a legitimate champion tonight, something they failed to do with his first run. I like that CM Punk is booked looking strong with his championship even though he didn?t win it in the most strong way, but that?ll fit in real well if they go the heel route. Punk gets a clean win over the IC Champion and he gets the edge on his two opponents on Monday by ending the show standing tall.

Chris Jericho cut a really great promo holding Rey Mysterio’s mask. Watching him cut a promo while looking at the mask reminded me of the late, great Eddie Guerrero when he was feuding with Mysterio back in 2005. They had a tremendous match at Extreme Rules and I can?t wait for more from these two as they certainly look to continue this feud.

Kane watch, week two ? still no sign of the Big Red Machine. Get him back on the road!

John Morrison fights Shelton Benjamin, again. He’s beat him a bunch of times now. It’s time for him to fight someone new. Maybe let Dolph Ziggler finish up with Khali and go for Morrison? I?d like to see Morrison with the Intercontinental Title by the fall. Still, he had another great match but, like I said, it’s time for a new opponent.

I like that they had R-Truth come out and cut another promo. It was short and sweet and he also seems to be one of very few people who have a catchphrase now, as he says ?That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.? We?ll see how his promos keep going in the weeks to come but I?m liking what I?m seeing so far.